Author
Governor, Education Commissioner balk at judge’s ruling and file appeal to keep public schools open
Within hours of what was considered a court win in a crucial case over school reopenings, a fight continues over who’s in charge of Florida public schools during the COVID-19 pandemic. Leon Circuit Judge Charles Dodson on Monday granted a temporary injunction to block a requirement that would force districts to reopen brick-and-mortar schools during […]
Judge grants temporary injunction to allow local districts — not the state — to decide if public schools will open
Leon Circuit Judge Charles Dodson on Monday granted a temporary injunction to block a requirement that would force districts to reopen brick-and-mortar schools during the COVID-19 pandemic. That would be unconstitutional, according to the judge. The ruling — a decision backed by the Florida Constitution and a case with national implications — is a win […]
A judge faces a crucial decision amid COVID-19, a Constitutional clash and power over public schools
In Florida’s state capital, Leon Circuit Judge Charles Dodson faces a daunting task. He’s taking on a clash between the language of the Florida Constitution and the powers of local school boards, against a state emergency order that mandates school buildings be open at least five days a week during the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s all […]
NAACP groups join lawsuit over opening brick-and-mortar schools
Two civil rights organizations — the NAACP and the NAACP – Florida State Conference — have joined the Florida Education Association and other plaintiffs in an ongoing lawsuit against reopening brick-and-mortar schools during the pandemic. The lawsuit challenges a controversial emergency order signed by Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran, which mandates that all brick-and-mortar public schools […]
In-person voting on primary day: ‘People are in fear that something will happen, so they don’t want to come out.’
In a typical election, the St. Louis Catholic Church on the north side of Tallahassee would have a line of people waiting to cast their votes. But this year, during COVID-19, in-person voting has significantly decreased. The clerk working, who wished to be referred to as Mrs. Boykin, has twenty years of experience in working […]
After one week of schools opening, COVID-19 has begun seeping into school buildings
Some Florida districts opened their school doors less than a week ago, and already, they’re reporting COVID-19 cases on their campuses — having to quarantine teachers and students. At least four districts of 67 districts in Florida have reported COVID-19 cases. They are Bradford, Manatee, Seminole and Suwannee, according to Phoenix interviews, news reports and […]
The reprieve is over: FL students will have to take state exams in 2020-21, even in a pandemic
Earlier this year, Florida public school students got a reprieve from taking standardized exams, as the COVID-19 crisis was emerging. But that reprieve is over. The Florida Department of Education confirmed Friday in a memo that standardized tests will be a part of the school calendar in 2020-21. The statewide exams for reading, math and […]
Lawsuit on reopening FL public schools will continue
A judge ruled Friday that a lawsuit over the reopening of public schools during the COVID-19 pandemic will continue. Gov. Ron DeSantis and other state officials — defendants in the case — had hoped to get the lawsuit dismissed, but that didn’t happen. The Florida Education Association filed the lawsuit in late July, saying that […]
From masks to fewer kids in classes, one superintendent’s thoughts on the first days of school in a pandemic
In Florida’s Hamilton County, straddling the Georgia line, School Supt. Rex Mitchell talks about his 41st first day of school in 2020-21, an extraordinary time because of the COVID-19 pandemic. He’s prepared his brick-and-mortar schools with new safety measures and procedures to help combat the spread of transmission. Classes started Monday, with many kids wearing […]
Confusion over which brick-and-mortar public schools in FL are opening
For sure, Martin County School District in southeast Florida opened school doors to students on Tuesday. But with constant fluctuation about starting dates during the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s confusion on which public school districts are opening or not. Earlier in the morning, The Florida Department of Education shared a tweet saying that “18 Florida school […]
New school year: A handful of FL school districts open their doors to brick-and-mortar classrooms
At a time when many families and educators are worried about sending children to school in a pandemic, a handful of Florida districts opened their doors for the new academic year, doing in-person instruction at brick-and-mortar schools. Those are Baker, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton and Suwannee, districts in North Florida counties, based on calls to school […]
A controversial civics test won’t be used by certain colleges — at least for now
Parents, professors, and nonprofits have been fighting against a new rule that would allow college students to earn a civics competency credit — required for graduation — by taking a multiple-choice test that calls for only a D to pass. That’s not going to happen, at least for now. Earlier this week, the civics-related rule was […]